Kevin Whitcher
You can’t argue with Arsenal’s recent run of results in the league. The team are showing title form as far as the accumulation of points are concerned, too little too late as far as catching Manchester United is concerned, but certainly in time for the fourth place trophy that matters to the annual accounts.
Arsene Wenger decided to retain Gervinho in his starting line-up, and for the long term benefit of the club, maybe this is just as well. Because his performance punctured the myth that he is a player worth persevering with. Think chimpanzee-room-typewriter-complete works of Shakespeare. Now think Gervinho – football pitch – football – goal. If you give it enough chances, you are going to get something that satisfies. But that is glossing over all the waste to get to that point. The player is simply too wasteful to justify his presence at a club with genuine pretentions of competing. I hope he is moved on in the summer, as he is too costly in his inability to convert dangerous situations into goals.
One wonders if Lukas Podolski has been frozen out because he has spoken his mind to the manager. Like Arshavin, one can believe the player is not short of an opinion and has the maturity and confidence to express it. There are weaknesses in his game when the opposition has the ball. But the same could have been said of Robert Pires and he was rarely castigated for that because of his contribution when Arsenal attacked. And if a team ethic is properly developed, the player will be more wiling to actually play a fuller part in the defensive side of the game.
Anyway, his contribution when he did enter the fray after an hour demonstrated that he should start ahead of Gervinho from this point on. The entrances of Walcott and later the Ox also positively impacted on Arsenal’s approach. Before Norwich went 1-0 up and the first changes were made (earlier than normal), the team were lackadaisical and unpenetrative, as if the critical nature of gaining three points in this fixture had escaped them. Jack Wilshere was patently unfit and it was reflected in his contribution, but the only way to change this is by playing him. So, a quandary, but I might be tempted to bring him on from the bench against Everton, with Cazorla in advanced midfield and a front three of Podolski, Giroud and either Walcott or the Ox.
As for the visiting team’s goal, it was a reminder that the Gunners are still vulnerable at set pieces. There is still a lot of work to do in this department, and assuming Arsene Wenger is still in charge next season, a lot of work in pre-season should be done in this area. The indications are that it has not, but good defensive habits are the key to winning matches, and it is something that successful Arsenal teams have been renowned for. The Barcelona approach does not work in north London and only can if the club buy Lionel Messi. Until then, Steve Bould – having learned his trade under George Graham - is presumably able to sort things out at the back given the opportunity. He should be.
The positive that came out of yesterday’s game was the response after Norwich scored. It was notable by its absence in the autumn when Chris Hughton’s team beat Arsenal at Carrow Road, arguably the worst performance from Wenger’s men this season. However, at home, there was reaction, and pressure. It led to a fortuitous penalty – in that shirt pulls are so rarely punished. However, the rule is the rule and it would make football a better sport if it were enforced. Sadly, I do not think it will be. Complaints that the linesman was further away than the referee are irrelevant. He had a different view and saw it more clearly. If it had been given to Norwich, Gooners would not like it, but the bottom line is that it was a foul. That it is generally ignored inside the penalty area should not be grounds for complaint.
The second goal was well worked and demonstrated the difference when an opposition defence is genuinely attacked rather than the ball dillydallying around in the normal fashion. The third was offside and fortunate. Norwich will consider themselves shortchanged, but it is not something Arsene Wenger is going to lose any sleep over. Things are tight from positions 3 to 6 in the table, and Arsenal now face two matches that are going to probably determine whether they will be able to take part in the Champions League next season, both difficult, but both winnable. In reality, four points from six would be an acceptable return. Everton at home is now a huge game given the Toffees’ own decent run of form, whilst Fulham away has become a difficult fixture in recent times. And that to be followed by the return of RVP…
Momentum is good, but Arsenal are going to have to up their game.
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